He's counting sheep

While he dreams of slaughtered lambs

Silhouettes of red

In the heart of Vietnam

Silver jagged shards

Of jaundiced yellow light

The men are digging in

For a long and bloody night

A village scorched by fire

Still burning today

Bodies strewn across the ground

Some screaming where they lay

But the mind has a valve

That feeds an endless flame

So he decided to return

To do some fishing in Da Nang

Healing's for the hurting

And the hurting lasts a while

Life is for the living

For his children and grandchild

So let us honor his service

Heart and soul of our youth

But politicians were led and bought 

And still find a way to twist the truth

The monsoon's back again

A smell of rain you don't forget

Though a sinking sun can't cure the blind

He still sees it when it sets

Remembering the men, women and children on both sides and the sacrifices made. And still being paid.

© RDBrooks, 2014